100:00:00,720 –> 00:00:07,080Some folks have the idea, you see, that the gospel basically says Christ forgives you200:00:07,080 –> 00:00:11,480for your past sins and opens up heaven for your future joy, and that in the middle basically300:00:11,480 –> 00:00:15,200it’s down to you to live a good moral life so find out what the law says and do it.400:00:15,200 –> 00:00:17,040That is not the gospel!500:00:17,059 –> 00:00:19,959Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.600:00:19,959 –> 00:00:21,219I’m David Pick.700:00:21,219 –> 00:00:23,320Pleased you could join us today, and Colin,800:00:23,320 –> 00:00:25,820we’re continuing our series Ten Distinctives of a900:00:25,820 –> 00:00:26,840Gospel-Centred Church.1000:00:27,639 –> 00:00:31,680And we should be glad that what we’ve just heard is not actually the gospel.1100:00:31,680 –> 00:00:33,459That’s absolutely right.1200:00:33,459 –> 00:00:37,700I mean, if the gospel was that God forgives you for the past, opens heaven for the future1300:00:37,700 –> 00:00:41,919and then basically the rest of your life is up to you, we would all be in big, big trouble!1400:00:41,919 –> 00:00:42,419Right.1500:00:42,419 –> 00:00:43,439It’s incomplete, isn’t it?1600:00:43,439 –> 00:00:44,139That’s right!1700:00:44,139 –> 00:00:45,660That would just leave us with the law.1800:00:45,660 –> 00:00:51,340And at the end of the day, I mean, the law can tell us what to do but it cannot give1900:00:51,340 –> 00:00:53,700us the power to do it.2000:00:53,700 –> 00:01:00,200That’s why the Apostle Paul says strikingly in the letter of Titus, it is the grace of2100:01:00,200 –> 00:01:05,180God—not the law of God—the grace of God that teaches us to say no to ungodliness.2200:01:05,180 –> 00:01:09,580It’s knowing God’s grace in our life that enables us to change.2300:01:09,580 –> 00:01:14,419So, today we’re going to look at a really important statement in Paul’s first letter2400:01:14,419 –> 00:01:15,559to Timothy.2500:01:15,559 –> 00:01:20,820He says we know that the law is good if one uses it properly.2600:01:20,820 –> 00:01:22,040Now, there’s the issue.2700:01:22,160 –> 00:01:28,519How do you use the law properly as a Gospel-centred person or as a Gospel-centred Church?2800:01:28,519 –> 00:01:29,919It’s a really important issue.2900:01:29,919 –> 00:01:34,360And it’s part of the freedom that we find in the Lord Jesus Christ.3000:01:34,360 –> 00:01:40,120Let’s have a look at the answer to that question in 1 Timothy 1 and verses 8 to 11 today,3100:01:40,120 –> 00:01:43,040as we begin our new message, gospel freedom.3200:01:43,040 –> 00:01:44,260Here is Pastor Colin.3300:01:44,260 –> 00:01:48,099Now, today we’re going to look at a second distinctive of a Gospel-centred church.3400:01:48,199 –> 00:01:51,059And I’ve called this one Gospel freedom.3500:01:51,059 –> 00:01:59,760And I’ve described it in this way, that we are drawn by grace, not driven by law.3600:01:59,760 –> 00:02:05,279Gospel freedom, we are drawn by grace, not driven by law.3700:02:05,279 –> 00:02:10,679Now, let’s take it up where we left off last week in verse 7, where it becomes clear that3800:02:10,679 –> 00:02:16,539there were difficulties in this church at Ephesus over some people who wanted to be3900:02:16,539 –> 00:02:18,380teachers of the law.4000:02:18,380 –> 00:02:25,279Notice that in verse 7, but Paul says that they did not know what they were talking about.4100:02:25,279 –> 00:02:29,559In other words, it’s quite clear that some folks in this church, where Timothy was the4200:02:29,559 –> 00:02:36,860pastor, were confused about the role of the law in the life of a Christian believer.4300:02:36,860 –> 00:02:42,259Now frankly, folks, that is not surprising because the role of the law in the life of4400:02:42,259 –> 00:02:46,179a Christian believer is a difficult issue.4500:02:46,240 –> 00:02:51,960Perhaps that’s one reason why it comes up again and again in the New Testament letters.4600:02:51,960 –> 00:02:57,619Perhaps that’s a reason why it has perplexed believers and caused debate between believers4700:02:57,619 –> 00:03:00,919throughout the centuries of Christian history.4800:03:01,779 –> 00:03:09,059Now, if you want to understand well the role of the law in the life of a Christian believer4900:03:09,059 –> 00:03:15,320then perhaps the most important text to get you going here is right in front of us in5000:03:15,360 –> 00:03:18,2591 Timothy chapter 1 in verse 8.5100:03:18,259 –> 00:03:22,919It’s of huge importance for the church today and always.5200:03:22,919 –> 00:03:32,979We know Paul says that the law is good if one uses it properly.5300:03:32,979 –> 00:03:34,460Huge statement.5400:03:34,460 –> 00:03:36,160And notice that he’s saying two things.5500:03:36,160 –> 00:03:37,960Number one, the law is good.5600:03:37,960 –> 00:03:39,360That’s clear.5700:03:39,360 –> 00:03:43,399Number two, the law must be used properly.5800:03:43,399 –> 00:03:48,419In other words, it is possible in the church to make an improper use of the law.5900:03:48,419 –> 00:03:52,619Possible in your home to make an improper use of the law.6000:03:52,619 –> 00:03:57,000The law is good if one uses it properly.6100:03:57,000 –> 00:04:01,419Let me just try and set our minds in the right direction by giving a couple of examples of6200:04:01,419 –> 00:04:05,080the improper use of the law.6300:04:05,080 –> 00:04:10,820One improper use would be if you use the law for self justification.6400:04:11,660 –> 00:04:14,639Remember that’s what the rich young ruler did.6500:04:14,660 –> 00:04:19,700He recites the commandments to the Lord Jesus, for you shall not murder, you shall not commit6600:04:19,700 –> 00:04:22,880adultery, honour your father and mother and so forth and so on.6700:04:22,880 –> 00:04:30,320And then he says, Jesus, all these I have kept since I was a boy.6800:04:30,320 –> 00:04:35,299In other words, here was a man who took a superficial look at the 10 commandments in6900:04:35,339 –> 00:04:36,859particular.7000:04:36,859 –> 00:04:41,079He looked at God’s law and he said, Hey, I’m good.7100:04:41,079 –> 00:04:46,079Paul could look back at a time when he did precisely the same thing.7200:04:46,079 –> 00:04:50,760He says in Philippians chapter three, looking back to an earlier time in his life, he said7300:04:50,760 –> 00:04:56,059this that as with regards to legalistic righteousness, he says I was faultless, that’s how I saw7400:04:56,059 –> 00:04:59,220myself before Christ.7500:04:59,220 –> 00:05:04,739So, if you’re the kind of person that takes a superficial view of the commandments of7600:05:04,779 –> 00:05:08,980God and you say, well now look at this, I’ve never committed adultery, I’ve never murdered7700:05:08,980 –> 00:05:11,679anyone, I live a really good moral life.7800:05:11,679 –> 00:05:16,079That is a terrible, terrible use of the law.7900:05:16,079 –> 00:05:20,579If you read it and come to the conclusion I must be real good before God.8000:05:20,579 –> 00:05:26,140Here’s a second improper use of the law.8100:05:26,140 –> 00:05:29,380To use the law for self sanctification.8200:05:30,179 –> 00:05:35,160Now some folks have the idea you see that the gospel basically says Christ forgives8300:05:35,160 –> 00:05:38,859you for your past sins and opens up heaven for your future joy.8400:05:38,859 –> 00:05:42,420And that in the middle basically it’s down to you to live a good moral life so find out8500:05:42,420 –> 00:05:45,559what the law says and do it.8600:05:45,559 –> 00:05:48,359That is not the gospel.8700:05:48,359 –> 00:05:54,940Romans chapter 8 in verse 3, Paul says, what the law was powerless to do in that it was8800:05:54,980 –> 00:06:01,040weakened by the sinful nature God did by sending his son in the likeness of sinful man to be8900:06:01,040 –> 00:06:02,079a sin offering.9000:06:02,079 –> 00:06:04,679Notice the words.9100:06:04,679 –> 00:06:11,239What the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the sinful nature.9200:06:11,239 –> 00:06:14,500In other words, Paul is saying the law can tell you what to do, but it can’t give you9300:06:14,500 –> 00:06:15,980the power to do it.9400:06:15,980 –> 00:06:22,179We are weakened by the sinful nature, the law is powerless because it can instruct us9500:06:22,179 –> 00:06:26,959but it cannot get us to the place that it points to.9600:06:26,959 –> 00:06:27,899That’s a problem, isn’t it?9700:06:27,899 –> 00:06:35,079With all legalism, with all moralism, it is so limited.9800:06:35,079 –> 00:06:39,940It is so self-calculating, it is so self-righteous.9900:06:39,940 –> 00:06:47,420It instructs but it lacks power and certainly cannot bring us into the life to which Jesus10000:06:47,420 –> 00:06:50,260Christ is calling us.10100:06:50,260 –> 00:06:54,959But remember this if you want to try and get it clear in your mind, the gospel does10200:06:54,959 –> 00:06:59,500not bring forgiveness, heaven, and law.10300:06:59,500 –> 00:07:05,179The gospel brings forgiveness, heaven, and the spirit.10400:07:05,179 –> 00:07:11,540And it is the spirit who sanctifies, not the law, it’s very important.10500:07:11,540 –> 00:07:18,119As we’re trying to understand what the proper use of God’s good law really is.10600:07:18,839 –> 00:07:20,679Now, there’s a couple of improper uses.10700:07:20,679 –> 00:07:24,720Let’s ask the question that’s right there in 1 Timothy 1 and verse 8.10800:07:24,720 –> 00:07:28,880What is the proper use of the law for a Christian believer?10900:07:28,880 –> 00:07:35,040That’s the question that’s right before us in this text of scripture, and it is a huge11000:07:35,040 –> 00:07:43,239question folks, for every Christian, every family, and every church.11100:07:43,260 –> 00:07:50,559The way you answer this question will shape the character of your Christian life, and11200:07:50,559 –> 00:07:55,000it will shape the dynamics of your home.11300:07:55,000 –> 00:08:02,239The way that we answer this question will shape the character of our church, and shapes11400:08:02,239 –> 00:08:06,480the character of churches all over the country and all around the world.11500:08:06,519 –> 00:08:15,799The question is, what is the proper use of the law for a Christian believer?11600:08:15,799 –> 00:08:21,880We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.11700:08:23,720 –> 00:08:29,359Well, let’s start then with two things that are clear in the Bible.11800:08:29,359 –> 00:08:31,600Here’s the first.11900:08:31,720 –> 00:08:38,380The Bible is very clear that Christians are not under the Law.12000:08:38,380 –> 00:08:39,640You get that?12100:08:39,640 –> 00:08:43,520In Romans chapter 6 and verse 14, you are not under the Law.12200:08:43,520 –> 00:08:46,900If you are in Jesus Christ, you are under grace.12300:08:46,900 –> 00:08:48,799What a beautiful phrase that is.12400:08:48,799 –> 00:08:53,059Not under the Law, you are under grace.12500:08:53,059 –> 00:08:58,900That is why Paul says that Christ, Romans 10, 4, is the End of the Law, so that there12600:08:58,900 –> 00:09:03,359may be righteousness for everyone who believes.12700:09:03,359 –> 00:09:08,900So when, for example, in the early church, some people came to the Galatians church and12800:09:08,900 –> 00:09:14,859started teaching that all Christians should be circumcised, Paul could not have been firmer12900:09:14,859 –> 00:09:18,340or more resolute in answering their claim.13000:09:18,340 –> 00:09:25,960He said, you who are trying to be justified by the Law have become alienated from Christ.13100:09:25,960 –> 00:09:31,960You have fallen away from grace, that is, Galatians chapter 5 and verse 4.13200:09:31,960 –> 00:09:36,239And he said to the whole church, when it was threatened by people who wanted to reintroduce13300:09:36,239 –> 00:09:41,239the imposition of all Old Testament law, in regards to Christian believers, Paul said,13400:09:41,239 –> 00:09:43,960it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.13500:09:43,960 –> 00:09:49,580Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened with the yoke of slavery.13600:09:49,580 –> 00:09:52,880So let’s start here with what is very, very clear in the New Testament.13700:09:53,299 –> 00:09:56,640There’s more to be said, but this is where we must begin.13800:09:56,659 –> 00:10:01,400The Law cannot condemn a person in Christ.13900:10:01,400 –> 00:10:05,380The Law has no power over us.14000:10:05,380 –> 00:10:11,859We are not under the law, we are under grace.14100:10:11,859 –> 00:10:17,460And for that we want to say from the depth of our being, thanks be to God.14200:10:17,460 –> 00:10:23,179So the Bible is very clear that Christians are not under the law.14300:10:23,179 –> 00:10:29,099You’re listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith and a message called Gospel Freedom.14400:10:29,099 –> 00:10:33,979It’s part of our longer series, Ten Distinctives of a Gospel Centred Church.14500:10:33,979 –> 00:10:37,900And if you ever miss one of the programmes in the series you can easily catch up or go14600:10:37,900 –> 00:10:45,739back and listen again to the whole series online at our website openthebible.org.uk14700:10:45,739 –> 00:10:50,979Also available as a podcast on all the main podcast sites by searching for Open the Bible14800:10:50,979 –> 00:10:55,760UK or by following a link to the podcast from our website.14900:10:55,760 –> 00:10:57,200Back to the message now.15000:10:57,200 –> 00:10:59,799Here again is Pastor Colin.15100:10:59,799 –> 00:11:05,979The Bible is very clear that Christians are not under the law.15200:11:06,219 –> 00:11:16,119Second, the Bible is equally clear that Christians cannot forget the law.15300:11:16,119 –> 00:11:19,979And now we’re seeing why this is such a complex issue.15400:11:19,979 –> 00:11:23,340We’re not under the law, but we cannot forget the law.15500:11:23,340 –> 00:11:28,500Let me give you four reasons why we cannot ignore or forget the law of God.15600:11:28,500 –> 00:11:32,580Number one, the law of God is good.15700:11:32,580 –> 00:11:35,859It says it right here in 1 Timothy chapter 1 in verse 8.15800:11:35,919 –> 00:11:38,479I mean, it’s God’s law.15900:11:38,479 –> 00:11:41,280It proceeds from his mouth.16000:11:41,280 –> 00:11:44,739How could anything that comes from God be anything other than good?16100:11:44,739 –> 00:11:45,900And Paul says it right here.16200:11:45,900 –> 00:11:49,179The law is good if one uses it properly.16300:11:49,179 –> 00:11:53,640So in saying that, he’s making it very clear we as Christians are to use it.16400:11:53,640 –> 00:11:55,719We must use it properly, but we’re to use it.16500:11:55,719 –> 00:11:57,700So we certainly can’t forget it.16600:11:57,700 –> 00:12:01,020We certainly can’t ignore it.16700:12:01,020 –> 00:12:10,320Romans chapter 7 and verse 12, the law is holy, righteous, and good.16800:12:10,320 –> 00:12:15,520If your son or your daughter grows up to be a person who is faithful to their spouse,16900:12:15,520 –> 00:12:19,780can be trusted with their money, tells the truth and honors their father and their mother,17000:12:19,780 –> 00:12:21,299is that not a good thing?17100:12:21,299 –> 00:12:23,539Of course it is.17200:12:23,539 –> 00:12:26,179The law is good.17300:12:26,219 –> 00:12:33,419St. Paul says in the second letter to Timothy, all Scripture is breathed out by God, and17400:12:33,419 –> 00:12:37,940that’s before the New Testament canon is complete, so he’s talking about Old Testament Scripture.17500:12:37,940 –> 00:12:43,780He’s saying the whole Old Testament is breathed out by God, and it’s useful.17600:12:43,780 –> 00:12:45,739So don’t forget it, don’t ignore it.17700:12:45,739 –> 00:12:46,919It’s useful for what?17800:12:46,919 –> 00:12:50,780Teaching and rebuking and correcting and training in righteousness.17900:12:50,780 –> 00:12:51,900So we cannot forget it.18000:12:51,900 –> 00:12:52,900We cannot ignore it.18100:12:52,900 –> 00:12:57,979We cannot detach the Old Testament from the new because God’s law is good.18200:12:57,979 –> 00:13:03,059Second, we cannot forget it because God’s law remains.18300:13:03,059 –> 00:13:06,479Remember the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew Chapter 5, the Sermon on the Mount,18400:13:06,479 –> 00:13:08,940I tell you the truth.18500:13:08,940 –> 00:13:12,559That until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, the least stroke of a18600:13:12,559 –> 00:13:18,299pen will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished.18700:13:18,299 –> 00:13:23,780And then he says, if anyone breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches18800:13:23,780 –> 00:13:28,719others to do the same, you teach people that the law is of no importance in regards to18900:13:28,719 –> 00:13:33,219the life of a Christian, they’ll be called least in the kingdom of heaven.19000:13:33,219 –> 00:13:36,979Whoever practices these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven, for I tell19100:13:36,979 –> 00:13:43,020you, Jesus says, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees, you will19200:13:43,020 –> 00:13:46,880certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.19300:13:46,880 –> 00:13:51,239So, one thing that is very clear from the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, right there19400:13:51,239 –> 00:14:00,000in the Sermon on the Mount, is that Christ calls us beyond the law, to exceed it, unless19500:14:00,000 –> 00:14:05,000your righteousness surpasses the Pharisee’s.19600:14:05,000 –> 00:14:08,520He’s not calling us to come up short of it.19700:14:08,520 –> 00:14:14,960He’s certainly not here to call us to make no attempt at it.19800:14:14,960 –> 00:14:20,000Here’s a third reason why we cannot forget the laws, Christian believers, because the19900:14:20,000 –> 00:14:24,919Holy Spirit writes God’s law on our hearts.20000:14:24,919 –> 00:14:29,039That of course is the great promise of the gospel, isn’t it?20100:14:29,039 –> 00:14:31,000Jeremiah 31-33.20200:14:31,000 –> 00:14:37,340God says I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.20300:14:37,340 –> 00:14:40,880That’s the promise of what he would do in the New Testament.20400:14:40,880 –> 00:14:46,820He says Ezekiel 36 and 27, I will put my spirit in you, that’s the gift that you would receive20500:14:46,820 –> 00:14:49,159as a Christian believer.20600:14:49,159 –> 00:14:51,140And I will move you to do what?20700:14:51,140 –> 00:14:56,859To follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.20800:14:56,859 –> 00:15:05,580So in Christ, we would say with David, oh how I love your law.20900:15:05,580 –> 00:15:10,820Fourth reason that Christians cannot forget the law of God is that God gives us his spirit21000:15:11,440 –> 00:15:16,840precisely for us to live the life that is described in his law.21100:15:16,840 –> 00:15:22,140That is Romans chapter eight and verse four, where we’re told that Christ died in order21200:15:22,140 –> 00:15:28,479that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live21300:15:28,479 –> 00:15:32,380according to the sinful nature, but according to the spirit.21400:15:32,380 –> 00:15:37,299Now folks, Paul is not talking here about our justification.21500:15:37,299 –> 00:15:40,520He’s talking here about our sanctification.21600:15:40,559 –> 00:15:44,820He does not say that the righteous requirements of the law are met for us, when Jesus died21700:15:44,820 –> 00:15:47,940on the cross, that is true, but it’s not what he’s saying here.21800:15:47,940 –> 00:15:52,059He says that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who live21900:15:52,059 –> 00:15:53,859according to the spirit.22000:15:53,859 –> 00:15:56,219He’s talking about your new life in Christ.22100:15:56,219 –> 00:16:00,859And what he’s saying is this, Jesus Christ died to bring you into a new life, lived in22200:16:00,859 –> 00:16:04,979the power of the spirit, that will become a fulfilment of the law that reflects the22300:16:04,979 –> 00:16:08,700character of God.22400:16:08,700 –> 00:16:11,780So there are two common errors.22500:16:11,780 –> 00:16:16,820The first is to say that Christians are subject to the Old Testament law, the second is to22600:16:16,820 –> 00:16:20,099say that Christians can forget the Old Testament law.22700:16:20,099 –> 00:16:27,520And now, you will realize if you had not already, why anyone who thinks this issue is simple22800:16:27,520 –> 00:16:32,520has simply not thought about it very much at all.22900:16:32,520 –> 00:16:41,979The law is good if one uses it properly.23000:16:41,979 –> 00:16:46,460What then is the proper use of the law of God?23100:16:46,460 –> 00:16:49,179I want to offer three answers.23200:16:49,179 –> 00:16:55,239If we’re not under the law but we cannot forget the law, how are we to use it properly23300:16:55,239 –> 00:16:57,659as Christian believers?23400:16:57,799 –> 00:17:03,419How does it function for us today?23500:17:03,419 –> 00:17:08,099Three answers, three proper uses of the law.23600:17:08,099 –> 00:17:15,560Number 1, the law restrains rebels from evil.23700:17:15,560 –> 00:17:21,060Now I think it is very clear that is what was in Paul’s mind here in 1 Timothy chapter23800:17:21,060 –> 00:17:22,0601.23900:17:22,060 –> 00:17:23,660Notice what he says in verse 9.24000:17:24,099 –> 00:17:32,380We also know that the law is not made for the righteous, but for law breakers and rebels.24100:17:32,380 –> 00:17:38,739Now lets remember straight away that that is what we all are by nature.24200:17:38,739 –> 00:17:41,660And that is why we need the law.24300:17:41,660 –> 00:17:50,119We need the law in our land, we need the law in our homes, and we need the law in the Bible24400:17:50,180 –> 00:17:57,140because we live in a fallen world, and by nature we are rebels.24500:17:57,140 –> 00:17:59,520And the law restrains how?24600:17:59,520 –> 00:18:04,319The law restrains simply by threatening punishment.24700:18:04,319 –> 00:18:05,819That’s how the law works.24800:18:05,819 –> 00:18:11,060If you do this, something bad will happen to you.24900:18:11,060 –> 00:18:14,459And that makes the rebel think twice.25000:18:14,619 –> 00:18:20,959Good laws, whether they be in a home whether they be in a nation, and certainly where they25100:18:20,959 –> 00:18:26,420are in Scripture, this is what they do, they restrain rebels.25200:18:26,420 –> 00:18:32,579A man has to think about consequences before he does an evil that is on his mind.25300:18:32,579 –> 00:18:38,020And in the mercy of God, good law may restrain him from doing it.25400:18:38,020 –> 00:18:41,959Good law, in other words, acts as a deterrent.25500:18:41,959 –> 00:18:47,239Now folks, just in terms of an immediate practical application, for all of us who are parents,25600:18:47,239 –> 00:18:54,099think about this as you establish appropriate rules in your own home and family.25700:18:54,099 –> 00:18:59,079See, when your little daughter or son, but let’s take the daughter today, when that25800:18:59,079 –> 00:19:07,280little one is born, she looks a picture of innocence and you hold her in your arms and25900:19:07,280 –> 00:19:14,400you think, oh how lovely and wonderful and perfect she is, you need to know what you’ve26000:19:14,400 –> 00:19:16,439got there.26100:19:16,439 –> 00:19:25,680And what you’ve got there is a wonderful gift from God who will bring you joy and delight,26200:19:25,680 –> 00:19:31,959and a little rebel whose heart is bent on crowning herself as lord.26300:19:31,959 –> 00:19:33,800That’s what you’ve got.26400:19:34,719 –> 00:19:42,040So, you will need to write some rules with appropriate punishments that will carry enough26500:19:42,060 –> 00:19:47,920weight in her little mind to restrain her from evil.26600:19:47,920 –> 00:19:51,160That’s the proper use of the law.26700:19:51,160 –> 00:19:54,699And if we neglect that proper use of the law you know what we have?26800:19:54,699 –> 00:19:57,280Homes and families in chaos.26900:19:57,280 –> 00:19:59,640That’s what happens.27000:19:59,640 –> 00:20:03,680By the way that’s why we need rules in the church.27100:20:03,680 –> 00:20:08,339We don’t want many, but we do need some.27200:20:08,339 –> 00:20:10,800That’s why we have a constitution and bylaws.27300:20:10,800 –> 00:20:14,420You sometimes hear people saying manmade rules.27400:20:14,420 –> 00:20:16,219Yeah, of course.27500:20:16,219 –> 00:20:17,219Why?27600:20:17,219 –> 00:20:23,020You say, well why can’t we simply say we’re all Christians here so the only rule is27700:20:23,020 –> 00:20:25,140that we love one another.27800:20:25,140 –> 00:20:32,819Well, answer, there is too much sin in all of us including you and including me for that27900:20:33,099 –> 00:20:34,099to work.28000:20:34,099 –> 00:20:36,339So, you need some rules.28100:20:36,339 –> 00:20:41,219Don’t want to have many, but we need some.28200:20:41,219 –> 00:20:48,300It is very significant that the long list of sins here in this verse in front of us,28300:20:48,300 –> 00:20:52,560do you notice how it relates directly to the Ten Commandments?28400:20:52,560 –> 00:20:57,439For all who kill their fathers and mothers, verse nine.28500:20:57,439 –> 00:20:59,479What that relates to the Fifth Commandment, doesn’t it?28600:20:59,540 –> 00:21:01,180your father and mother.28700:21:01,180 –> 00:21:03,839For murderers, Sixth Commandment.28800:21:03,839 –> 00:21:06,780For adulterers, Seventh Commandment.28900:21:06,780 –> 00:21:15,060Notice by the way that Paul includes here both heterosexual and homosexual acts as defiance29000:21:15,060 –> 00:21:20,640of the Seventh Commandment.29100:21:20,640 –> 00:21:26,420Notice the next one, this is very significant, it’s for slave traders.29200:21:26,420 –> 00:21:32,859That relates to the Eighth Commandment because you shall not steal – stealing a person.29300:21:32,859 –> 00:21:38,699By the way, if anyone ever says to you that the Bible supports slavery, you point them29400:21:38,699 –> 00:21:46,540to this verse, where it says that slave trading is a defiance of the Eighth Commandment.29500:21:46,540 –> 00:21:52,979That’s what Paul is doing, he’s applying the commandments to the culture in which29600:21:52,979 –> 00:21:55,260he lives.29700:21:55,300 –> 00:22:00,160And then for liars and for perjurers, that’s the Ninth Commandment.29800:22:00,160 –> 00:22:01,280Now, what is the point?29900:22:01,280 –> 00:22:05,540Paul is surely saying, and remember, this is New Testament.30000:22:05,540 –> 00:22:11,420This is the apostles saying that the Ten Commandments still speak powerfully into our lives and30100:22:11,420 –> 00:22:15,640into our world today, and we need them to restrain rebels.30200:22:15,640 –> 00:22:19,880We need them to restrain rebels.30300:22:19,900 –> 00:22:24,260You’ve been listening to Pastor Colin Smith on Open the Bible with a message called Gospel30400:22:24,319 –> 00:22:29,339Freedom, part of our series, 10 Distinctives of a Gospel-Centered Church.30500:22:29,359 –> 00:22:33,140If you’ve missed any of the messages in the series, you can easily catch up or go back30600:22:33,140 –> 00:22:40,280and listen again by coming online to our website, openthebible.org.uk, or find us in a podcast30700:22:40,280 –> 00:22:45,020on all the main podcast sites, search for the Open the Bible UK, or follow the link30800:22:45,020 –> 00:22:46,599from our website.30900:22:46,599 –> 00:22:51,540Open the Bible is supported by our listeners, it’s people just like you who enable us31000:22:51,579 –> 00:22:56,079to stay on the radio and on the internet and we’re extremely grateful for the support31100:22:56,079 –> 00:22:57,099we receive from you.31200:22:57,099 –> 00:22:58,099So.31300:22:58,099 –> 00:23:01,300if you already give to Open the Bible, thank you so much.31400:23:01,300 –> 00:23:05,739If you’re considering beginning to support Open the Bible financially, this month we31500:23:05,739 –> 00:23:07,739have a great offer for you.31600:23:07,739 –> 00:23:14,339If you’re able to begin a direct debit of £5 per month or more, or a one-off gift of31700:23:14,339 –> 00:23:20,699£60 or more, we’d love to say thank you by sending you a copy of John Stott’s book,31800:23:21,099 –> 00:23:23,099which is entitled The Incomparable Christ.31900:23:23,260 –> 00:23:25,380Colin, who is this book for?32000:23:25,380 –> 00:23:30,099Well, it’s for anyone who wants to know the Lord Jesus Christ better, and it’s written32100:23:30,099 –> 00:23:34,359by one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century.32200:23:34,359 –> 00:23:39,760John Stott was a faithful preacher, a pastor, and a scholar for over 60 years.32300:23:39,760 –> 00:23:41,520He’s one of my heroes of the faith.32400:23:41,520 –> 00:23:47,180I love to read his writing and never more so than when he’s writing on the most central32500:23:47,880 –> 00:23:51,260of all, the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.32600:23:51,260 –> 00:23:56,420And you know, this book, The Incomparable Christ, if you’ve never read a book by John32700:23:56,420 –> 00:23:58,760Stott, this is a great place to start.32800:23:58,760 –> 00:24:04,020It’s a deep dive on who Jesus is, and it comes in four parts.32900:24:04,020 –> 00:24:07,699We see Jesus as He is presented in the New Testament.33000:24:07,699 –> 00:24:11,420Jesus as He’s been presented by the church over the centuries.33100:24:11,819 –> 00:24:16,479Jesus as He’s inspired various figures in history.33200:24:16,479 –> 00:24:19,540And Jesus as He’s presented to us in the Book of Revelation.33300:24:19,540 –> 00:24:25,180It’s just a glorious snapshot of who the Lord Jesus Christ is.33400:24:25,180 –> 00:24:29,260And I think anyone who reads this book is going to feel that they come to a deeper worship33500:24:29,260 –> 00:24:33,859of Jesus, a deeper love for Jesus, and a deeper trust in Jesus too.33600:24:33,859 –> 00:24:39,160Well this book by John Stott, The Incomparable Christ is a gift to you when you begin a new33700:24:39,160 –> 00:24:45,319direct debit took the work of Open the Bible in the amount of £5 per month or more.33800:24:45,319 –> 00:24:49,420Or a one-off gift of £60 or more this month.33900:24:49,420 –> 00:24:55,739Full terms and conditions are on our website, that’s at openthebible.org.uk and you can34000:24:55,739 –> 00:24:56,760give online.34100:24:56,760 –> 00:25:02,160Don’t forget to leave your full name and address so we can send you your free gift.34200:25:02,160 –> 00:25:07,060For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick, and I look forward to you34300:25:07,180 –> 00:25:09,219joining us again for our next program.34400:25:20,359 –> 00:25:23,300What is the proper use of the law for a Christian?34500:25:23,300 –> 00:25:26,420Find out next time on Open the Bible.